KATHMANDU: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter has elected Heritage Tours & Travel Managing Director Narendra Deo Bhatta as its new chairman, as the tourism industry continues efforts to recover from the Bhotekoshi flood disaster.

Bhatta was elected unanimously at the chapter’s 47th Annual General Meeting and 51st anniversary celebration held in Lalitpur on Friday. He succeeds Khem Lakai, who had served as chairman since June 2024 and will remain on the executive committee as immediate past chairman.

Bhatta said his priorities would include supporting affected communities and tourism destinations and working with government, industry partners, PATA and the PATA Foundation to strengthen the sector’s recovery.

Romi Aryal, managing director of Square Hotel, was elected general secretary, while Alpine Rescue Service Chairman Prakash Chandra Lohani was elected honorary treasurer.

The new executive committee includes Vijay Shrestha of Himalaya Airlines as vice-president, along with representatives from the hotel, trekking, travel, hospitality and other tourism businesses. The committee also includes public-sector representatives from the Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Airlines, Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.

The chapter, which held its anniversary programme under the theme “Resilient Nepal”, also honoured seven individuals for their contributions during and after the recent Bhotekoshi flood crisis.

The honourees included international tunnelling specialist Professor Arnold Dix, Nepal’s first female helicopter captain Priya Adhikari, Globetrotter President André Lüthi, World Central Kitchen’s Dylan Dugas, Tribhuvan Trishuli Secondary School head teacher Rajendra Dawadi, search and rescue team leader Bikram Karki, and destination strategist Choy Teh.

PATA Foundation Chair Andrew Jones said Nepal remained a priority for PATA and reaffirmed the organisation’s support for the country’s tourism sector. He also referred to the PATA Foundation’s Nepal Tourism Recovery Fund, which plans to support tourism workers’ livelihoods and PATA Nepal Chapter and its student chapter.

Outgoing chairman Lakai called for coordinated efforts by tourism stakeholders to accelerate recovery and support sustainable growth.

Chief guest Sumnima Udas, chair of the parliamentary International Relations and Tourism Committee, also called for coordination between the government and private sector in responding to the impact of the recent floods.